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Within mobile devices, the iPad was mentioned specifically very often after it first came out. Now it’s mentioned rarely—probably not because people don’t build

Within mobile devices, the iPad was mentioned specifically very often after it first came out. Now it’s mentioned rarely—probably not because people don’t build apps for iPads anymore, but instead because it’s simply so obvious that you will support iPads that people don’t even mention it. I'm not so sure about this. Outside certain niches developers don't seem to have much interest in iPad apps these days. In three years of building iOS apps for clients I haven't had anyone ask me even once for an iPad version of their app.

zippergz 11y ago
I agree. Snapchat doesn't have an iPad app. Instagram doesn't have an iPad app. It's far from obvious that apps will support iPad (other than in "enlarge the phone version" mode). As a heavy iPad user, I wish this weren't the case, but it sure seems to be.
guelo 11y ago
An analysis around iphone vs android vs web strategy would have been more enlightening.
tdaltonc 11y ago
I think the ipad pro could could shape this up a lot. A good ipad app (even if just for slide-over) could become a must for most utility or communication apps.
pavlov 11y ago
Matches my experience. And it's the same for Android tablets: the form factor is barely an afterthought. I think one of the reasons is the "phablet" convergence. When the iPad came out as a 10" device, the iPhone was a 3.5" device. Today you can get an iPhone in a 5.5" size or an iPad in an 8" size. The physical difference has blurred, but the use case difference is clear. The phone is the personal device that you use by default for everything. The tablet is a media consumption device at home, or a specialized data entry tool. There doesn't seem to be much market for apps between those extremes.
samsonradu 11y ago
My tablet has been a piece of furniture on my desk for nearly a year (received as a gift). I have absolutely no use case for it. Why would I get an iPad when I can get a 10" laptop and bruteforce any OS/app that I need into it. Tablets feel so restrictive, not to mention typing takes ages
- therealdrag0 10y ago
  Yeah, I only use my ipad for reading ebooks.

zippergz 11y ago

I agree. Snapchat doesn't have an iPad app. Instagram doesn't have an iPad app. It's far from obvious that apps will support iPad (other than in "enlarge the phone version" mode). As a heavy iPad user, I wish this weren't the case, but it sure seems to be.

guelo 11y ago

An analysis around iphone vs android vs web strategy would have been more enlightening.

tdaltonc 11y ago

I think the ipad pro could could shape this up a lot. A good ipad app (even if just for slide-over) could become a must for most utility or communication apps.

pavlov 11y ago

Matches my experience. And it's the same for Android tablets: the form factor is barely an afterthought. I think one of the reasons is the "phablet" convergence. When the iPad came out as a 10" device, the iPhone was a 3.5" device. Today you can get an iPhone in a 5.5" size or an iPad in an 8" size. The physical difference has blurred, but the use case difference is clear. The phone is the personal device that you use by default for everything. The tablet is a media consumption device at home, or a specialized data entry tool. There doesn't seem to be much market for apps between those extremes.

samsonradu 11y ago

My tablet has been a piece of furniture on my desk for nearly a year (received as a gift). I have absolutely no use case for it. Why would I get an iPad when I can get a 10" laptop and bruteforce any OS/app that I need into it. Tablets feel so restrictive, not to mention typing takes ages

therealdrag0 10y ago
Yeah, I only use my ipad for reading ebooks.